And each one had a nice layer of junk that fell out when it came down. This pile was after about fifty tiles had been removed. We were all trying to figure out what the stuff is and how it got in there.

In any event, it feels nice to get this all cleared out of there.

And thank you for your very helpful thoughts about what to do with the tiles!

Leaving them in their original state and simply sealing them with a clear coat seems to be the overwhelming sentiment, and the more Marlboro Man and I talked about it yesterday, the more we think that might be the best/most natural/most economical way to go. I was thinking more in terms of paint. He had been leaning toward getting them powder coated so they’d last till the end of time. But now we’re liking the natural direction more and more. So we’re going to do a few samples of all the possibilities and make the decision from there. I’ll keep you posted!

This is the space we’re focusing on right now. Soon, that back wall will be gone and you’ll be able to see all the way to the back of the building.

This is the view in the other direction, which looks out the front of the space. The front will be redone, so I’ll show you detailed pics soon and bug you for more opinions.

Meanwhile, this is the space directly upstairs, which we’re also doing in this first phase. I’m as excited about this part as I am about the downstairs part, as I really feel like I’ve gone back in time when I stand up here and look around for any length of time.

154 Comments and 22 Replies

How fun to get to do something like this. Have I missed it or have you said what you will be using this incredible building for? Will you rent out spaces here or you’ll be doing something with all your talents? cooking, photography, homeschooling? etc maybe making a mini movie theater since you love movies so very much? just wondering as I’m sure most of us followers are.
Have a beautiful day,
CheyAnne

102

Lucy B On Thursday, February 28 at 1:34 pm

Keep them original. Love that old patina!

103

Bettie Nix On Thursday, February 28 at 1:36 pm

Remember the scene in “Charade” where Audrey Hepburn is in the vacant room in Paris and she says she liked the room better with nothing in it. I’ve always related to that observation.

104

Monica Glaze On Thursday, February 28 at 1:43 pm

can’t wait to hear what you are going to do with this fine old building. I am envious – I want an old building to renovate and figure out a neat store, juice bar, coffee bar, deli or mini-market where I can sell some hippie junk. Good luck and keep us posted.

105

tonia in kentucky On Thursday, February 28 at 1:47 pm

I love those old ceiling tiles and i think they will look beautiful……….and yes i wonder what ya gonna do with the building but good things come to those who wait ……….so i will wait and ponder and watch for more pictures.

Judiann On Thursday, February 28 at 2:24 pm

I never thought of powder coat-that would be a good idea but probably costly.

108

Lindsay H from CA On Thursday, February 28 at 2:42 pm

This all looks like so much work and I can’t wait to see the samples of the tile choices. Looking at the pictures of what is falling down with all the tiles it makes want to clean my house from top to bottom because I know there are lots of dirt hiding in my house as well. Gross!

109

Me again On Thursday, February 28 at 2:53 pm

This is so exciting. We redid a turn of the (last) century Victorian house and are possibly going to be redoing another building soon as well. Thank you for posting about this project!

110

Seattle Sue On Thursday, February 28 at 3:15 pm

I do hope your Food Network Show doesn’t leave the ranch. Along with watching you cook I really enjoy watching your family go about their day with life on the ranch. City folk sometimes forget how the heartland of America where ranchers and farmers alike work from dawn to dusk to carry out the American tradition of family ranching and farming. A vanishing breed!
A family restaurant and gift shop with your own line of dishes, and other cookware… what do you think!? Can’t wait to see what you and Marlboro Man turn this building into!!!

111

Mindy On Thursday, February 28 at 4:05 pm

Cooking school???? As if your not busy enough….why don’t you teach, to people other than your children!!

112

Darinda On Thursday, February 28 at 4:14 pm

So glad you’re keeping them! I’d never part with those if I were the one doing the renovating!

113

Linda H On Thursday, February 28 at 4:25 pm

Sure like the idea of keeping ceiling tiles “natural”. Love the rustic/historic/story telling older buildings. Maybe in a small “powder room” you could paint the ceiling tiles with some detail.

It must feel great to be able to give people employment in this economic climate. This is hard work!

115

siltedrepose On Thursday, February 28 at 5:02 pm

Awesome!

116

Joy On Thursday, February 28 at 6:49 pm

Takes my breath away looking at that pile of stuff sitting there … Just beautiful. Love all the old trim.

117

Dotty On Thursday, February 28 at 7:33 pm

I love seeing something renovated and restored back to it’s original beauty! Kudos!

118

Bettie M On Thursday, February 28 at 8:17 pm

My bestie and I have our long arm quilting machine in an old 1880’s downtown building. It looks so much like your building. They painted their ceiling tiles and they look great. Our biggest problem is the silt that come from the bricks in the wall. Because the building is so old, the mortar is just disintegrating daily. I HATE SILT. If you figure out how to fix this problem PLEASE let us know. There is not enough sealer made to put on those bricks and stop the silting.

This is almost as much fun as watching the lodge remodel was! I can’t wait to see what you ultimately do with the tiles (and the rest of the space). I think that the natural approach would work out very well over the long term!

120

Kit On Thursday, February 28 at 9:42 pm

There’s nothing more magical than being in an old building with few if any other people around. You can feel the emotions of all the people who came before you. Like everyone else, I’m looking forward to seeing what you do with the space. The one thing I feel sure of is it will make those from the past happy.
Best of luck as you continue your adventure.

121

Sandy Keathley On Friday, March 1 at 12:14 am

I just love reading all the “what is it’s” and I bet I knows and I am sure Ree is enjoying it just as much! The mystery is part of the journey!

I cannot wait to hear how you are going to use this gorgeous space because I know it will be spectacular when you are finished with it. So glad you are respecting the past with the renovations.

123

Anna Marie P On Friday, March 1 at 8:07 am

Thanks for the “peek”… I love that you all are re-vitalizing an old building with love and care. Great job!

124

TheKlausHouse On Friday, March 1 at 11:07 am

Nooooo! Not the natural state! That’s a really long gray ceiling. It needs color! It needs life!

A tin ceiling without zee paint is like a swoon without the faint!

125

Megan L. On Friday, March 1 at 11:28 am

But what’s it going to be USED for???? Oh the suspense….

126

Torri Bertarelli On Friday, March 1 at 12:02 pm

Love this space….Lucky family to be involved in something historical. Love the natural tiles.

127

donna harris On Friday, March 1 at 7:05 pm

Can’t wait to see it done and what you’re going to do with it.Trying to leave everything natural is the beauty of it. Thanks for sharing with us as you go along.

128

Jacqueline On Saturday, March 2 at 12:28 am

Thanks for sharing it with us – it’s fun to live vicariously!

129

Julie H On Saturday, March 2 at 8:21 am

The natural tiles are beautiful, great choice. Such a project, but it looks like a building with great history, and you are doing it justice. Great job.

130

Mary C. On Saturday, March 2 at 8:54 am

My 2 cents worth is that this space would make a wonderful quilt shop!

131

Norma Wood On Saturday, March 2 at 4:25 pm

This would make an awesome place for a restaurant in the bottom and rooms upstairs for the people who shoot your food network show to stay in (or for other events at your ranch). I love old buildings done right.
Norma Wood

132

Venita On Sunday, March 3 at 8:10 am

Guess I’m in line with everyone else wondering what you guys plan to do with space. It seems too far away to become yalls corp office or test kitchen. I was thinking a B & B but again its too far away and I would probably spread you to thin…so I will keep waiting until your ready to share.

133

Barbara On Sunday, March 3 at 3:22 pm

WoW! We are an opinionated bunch! I vote for natural look also. Looks like a great old building, good luck with what ever your plans are.

134

Cory S. On Monday, March 4 at 12:33 pm

I’m guessing, as a gift to the community, part of it will be a meeting hall/dining hall for renting out. Part will be taken back to its original state as a general store museum and maybe a gift shop to go with it. The upstairs looks like an area for cooking classes and a larger space to film the show. Purely speculation on my part. I have the same fascination with old time general stores too. Maybe I owned one in another life.

135

Mary Sosa On Monday, March 4 at 4:06 pm

It will be a beautiful place…PERFECT for a “Pioneer Woman” store/art gallery

136

Judy On Tuesday, March 5 at 5:21 am

Love the tops you wear on the show. Where o you shop?

137

Susan R. On Tuesday, March 5 at 9:51 am

I sincerely hope “that stuff” isn’t asbestos, or else y’all are going to have a hellofa problem.

138

Marti On Tuesday, March 5 at 9:54 am

Size 8, please!

139

Valerie On Tuesday, March 5 at 10:37 am

Keep up the good work, it’s going to be a beautiful place no matter what you use it for.

Bonnie R On Tuesday, March 5 at 1:24 pm

Debra H On Tuesday, March 5 at 2:40 pm

Totally jealous of the ceiling tiles. I am on the hunt for some of my own, to be used as the back splash for my log home kitchen in the Smoky Mountains.

143

Mona Webster On Tuesday, March 5 at 3:38 pm

I envy you guys….nothing like a great project! I have so many projects I shall keep going till the end of time! ha Can’t wait to see the completed project so hurry please!

144

Karen On Tuesday, March 5 at 4:45 pm

Size 9 please!!!!

145

madeleine On Tuesday, March 5 at 7:55 pm

Found any historical artifacts yet? Something hidden under the floor boards or in the walls? How fun!

146

madeleine On Tuesday, March 5 at 7:56 pm

Found any historical artifacts yet? Something hidden under the floor boards or in the walls? How fun!

147

Wanda Johnson On Tuesday, March 5 at 9:28 pm

Husband’s Grandpa tells this story about a Big ol’ building in his small town in Nebraska. Seems the WWI vets had a fund raising dance and invited a Polka Band to play. The dance was held in the upstairs ,mostly storage,area of the mercantile/drug store. When the store owner came to open up the downstairs part of the store on Monday morn he discovered ” vhen does big German fellers und gals get to shteppin round dat floor, da ceilin under their dancin feets gets knocked all to hail !” . That’s how they got their tin ceiling removed.

148

Susan Mulderry On Wednesday, March 6 at 11:09 am

Looking for my comment…don’t see it. I suggested that you contact Nicole Dinardo – she could be a good resource!

149

Laura Garrett On Wednesday, March 6 at 4:30 pm

So excited to see the finished product. I’m really enjoying the process of seeing the reno. I just love the older buildings, and their architecture.

150

ritafromcincinnati On Sunday, March 10 at 4:52 pm

Wow, wish I lived there to see it and help. I loved This Old House, and now watch Rehab Addict and all the other DIY shows, but live in a 1970’s house with no old tin ceiling tiles or wood floors or anything else interesting.

What a great project !! I am so anxious to see what this will become .
PIONEER WOMAN RESTAURANT ? I think we need a special show on this project !!!

152

Jackie Burgess On Monday, April 8 at 10:51 am

Went to eat, shopped and spent time with my wonderful husband before he starts his new job.

153

Cheryl Bramlett On Monday, April 8 at 11:27 am

My husband and I collected a large piece of tree from a neighbor’s yard that was hit by ligthning. There is a great mark on the piece where the lightning hit and we will turn it into a table. Can’t wait!

154

Carol-Ann Drummond On Saturday, June 22 at 9:08 am

What a beautiful building and to have someone restore it. I’m so happy its you Ree. I can’t wait to see it finished.